Description
This Old Fashioned Apple Spice Cake is a comforting classic filled with warm spices, tender apples, and a hint of nuttiness. Topped with a tangy cinnamon cream cheese frosting, it’s perfect for fall gatherings or cozy desserts.
Ingredients
Scale
For the cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups peeled, cored, and diced apples (about 3 medium apples)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ½ cup applesauce
For the cinnamon cream cheese frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare Your Workspace: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or two 9-inch round cake pans. Optionally, use cake strips for even baking.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. This ensures even distribution of spices and leavening agents.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes. Proper creaming creates air pockets for a tender crumb.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract. Don’t worry if the mixture looks slightly curdled—it will come together with the flour.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent toughness.
- Fold in Apples and Nuts: Gently fold in diced apples, applesauce, and nuts (if using) until evenly distributed. The thick batter helps suspend apple pieces throughout the cake.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour batter into prepared pan(s) and smooth the top. Bake for 50–55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean with a few moist crumbs. Cover with foil if browning too quickly.
- Cool Completely: Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare the Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt, beating until light and fluffy. Adjust consistency with milk or more sugar if needed.
- Frost and Serve: Once cooled, spread frosting evenly over the cake. For layer cakes, frost between layers and around the sides. Garnish with cinnamon, apple slices, or chopped nuts if desired.
Notes
Substitutions: Use buttermilk instead of applesauce for added moisture. Omit nuts for a nut-free version. Freshly ground spices enhance flavor. Store frosted cake in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: apple spice cake, old fashioned cake, cream cheese frosting, fall dessert recipe